Direct Support Professional - Westwood, NJ

YAI • Westwood, NJ

8d • $19 - $19 • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in pursuing personal goals and quality of life, while respecting their rights and providing emotional support. The role delivers individualized, person-centered support in a variety of settings, following service plans, behavior support plans, supervision levels, safeguards, and applicable YAI and New Jersey DDD standards. The position supports adults with varying needs, including autism, challenging behaviors, and complex medical needs, and helps maintain a safe, clean, organized therapeutic environment.

Duties include supervision and care; assistance with personal care and activities of daily living; teaching habilitative and rehabilitative skills; supporting communication, advocacy, decision-making, and community participation; planning or supporting meals consistent with individual dietary needs; transportation; medication administration and inventory; scheduling medical appointments; and handling funds and required records. The role also implements behavior support strategies, observes and documents behavior and changes in condition, communicates with families and providers as directed, and collaborates with program and clinical teams.

The position requires completion of role-specific training and certifications, accurate documentation and use of electronic systems, compliance with applicable regulations including HIPAA, and reporting safety and maintenance concerns. Staff may provide coverage across settings and programs, including off-site locations, and may participate in treatment-plan development. The schedule is Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Compensation is $19; the posting does not specify the pay period.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or educational equivalent.
• Must hold or obtain and maintain a valid driver's license with no more than five points.
• Ability to meet physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and using hands to handle, finger, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Ability to assist with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; lift or move up to 25 pounds on occasion; and physically perform emergency interventions required by an individual's Behavior Support Plan, with or without equipment or staff assistance.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to document services for billing and tracking.
• Enthusiasm for working with people with I/DD; willingness to take initiative; and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
• Ability and willingness to provide a variety of supports and ADL assistance, including regular exposure to and handling of bodily fluids.
• Basic computer skills, including email and use of Workday and related systems such as Digital Agency (DA).
• Must hold or obtain and maintain certifications and training required by the program and the people supported, including Non-Crisis Intervention training, American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification, NJ Medication Administration certification, and Positive Behavior Supports training, as scheduled by a supervisor or designee, within 120 days of appointment.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships consistent with YAI's mission and vision.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours or shifts and/or report as scheduled on holidays, in inclement weather, or during emergencies to maintain minimum coverage, unless otherwise authorized.

Nice To Haves

• Work or life experience supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities, clinical syndromes, and/or I/DD with co-occurring behavioral or mental health needs.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in developing their strengths, interests, abilities, personal goals, relationships, and community connections while upholding their rights and using person-first communication.
• Supervise and protect individuals, maintain program safeguards, teach fire safety, identify potential harm to self or others, and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Promote health, wellness, and safety; manage crises in accordance with policies, procedures, regulations, and individual plans.
• Implement individualized service and behavior support plans, including BSPs, ISPs, Staff Action Plans, and Life Plans, and follow required supervision levels and safeguards.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized therapeutic environment and use safe handling and infection-control procedures.
• Assist with personal care and ADLs, including intimate care, hygiene, bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, and housekeeping.
• Teach and develop habilitative and rehabilitative skills; support advocacy, communication, self-expression, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making.
• Plan or supervise the preparation of balanced meals and snacks in accordance with individual dietary restrictions, modified diets, and liquid-consistency guidelines.
• Transport and escort individuals to recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer or employment sites, and other locations; help develop schedules and community activities.
• Assist individuals with purchases and safeguard personal allowance and other funds.
• Administer medication as prescribed and assist with medication inventories, cabinet checks, OTC inventory, and timely reordering of medications and supplies.
• Schedule medical appointments and ensure timely follow-up appointments and attendance.
• Use petty cash, house funds, and store cards appropriately and maintain receipts and other required documentation in coordination with a supervisor.
• Operate agency vehicles and maintain related logs and maintenance sheets; coordinate appointments with a supervisor.
• Develop knowledge of person-specific clinical needs, including support for adults, challenging behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical needs.
• Implement behavior support plans, guidelines, and protocols; collect, record, and summarize observable behavior data; and report behavioral or other changes to clinical or leadership staff.
• Communicate with families, circles of support, and external providers as directed by clinical or program leadership.
• Collaborate with the support team, provide feedback, communicate program needs, use a solution-oriented approach to conflicts, and attend and participate in team meetings.
• Complete and maintain required training and certifications, including specialized training required by program assignment, and apply the skills learned.
• Review communication logs, document events, progress, services, and other information, and communicate pertinent information across team members and shifts using prescribed systems.
• Complete required paperwork and electronic records accurately and on time, including notifications, logs, incident reports, file updates, maintenance requests, phone calls, and incident tracking.
• Use foundational and progressive teaching techniques, including Explain, Model, Observe and Evaluate (EMOE), task analysis, essential skills, supports, and modifications.
• Understand behavior as communication and use person-centered approaches to support positive interactions and prevent escalation.
• Report facility maintenance, upkeep, and safety concerns to the Program Supervisor or appropriate designee.
• Use approved YAI and NJ DDD verbal, environmental, and physical intervention techniques, including take-downs, when needed to respond to challenging or self-injurious behavior and protect individuals and others.
• Provide support or coverage across settings and programs in the assigned region, including off-site locations such as hospitals, and remain on shift or report to another program when required to maintain minimum coverage.
• May participate in developing treatment plans.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, local, and other regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• DailyPay available.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and more extensive medical plan options; vision coverage for full-time positions.
• Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time, depending on time type.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED